My first GPS watch

2011  was a good year for Team JRunning. We have ran a full marathon during the Condura Skyway Marathon, a 32K at RU3, several half marathons and a couple of fun runs. As an incentive and to motivate myself to train harder this year, I rewarded myself  a Soleus GPS 1.0, my first GPS watch. Because of the demand for efficient, reliable and affordable watch that would cater the needs of serious runners, Soleus introduced to the market its new GPS watch. The price is affordable and it comes with the basic features every runner needs in a GPS watch.

I bought mine last month but have not yet fully tested it since until last weekend. Last Saturday, Swthrt and I began our training for this year’s running season. The Soleus GPS watch registered accurate data in terms of distance measurement. It registered an almost identical measurement of the route we took regularly which I measured using a car’s odometer and Google Earth (1.8K). It was a good buy since we can now run any route, and at the end, we would know how far we have run for the day. Yesterday, our second test run was as satisfying as the first one. We ran 10K at the BGC.

Other features I find interesting is the auto lap which records your lap time as set by the user from 0.5, 1,2,3,4 or 5K intervals. The run data feature was very helpful for runners who want to track down their training performances though it is not downloadable to a computer. Just a word of caution, be careful in viewing your run data files as you might accidentally delete all the files just like what happened to me last night. I wanted to tabulate our run data and as I navigate through the watch buttons, I accidentally deleted all the run data files. It is a must that you get familiar with the buttons of the watch. I was also cautioned by the sales representative at the Time Studio that it cannot be used under raining conditions. This I would really like to verify as to how hard the rainfall should be that I cannot use it.

Overall, I was glad to have bought the Soleus GPS watch and hope to have more enjoyable run with it!

Team JRunning weekend run

One thing I like about weekend is that I get to spend more time with Swthrt and the kids. Swthrt and I always look forward to activities we will have on weekend and running will always be on the list. Last Saturday,October 15 2011, it was the whole family that went to UPD. Swthrt and I were scheduled to run at least 10K at an easy pace. JM, our eldest son, had to do an experiment for their myth busting project in Biology class together with his classmates. While Josh, our youngest son, does not want to miss the fun came with us.

11K easy pace Saturday run

We arrived at UPD a little late. It was almost 7 am when we started to run. To keep us motivated, we tried to look at the situation as an opportunity to also have some sort of heat training. We normally are still running by this time if we run in a half or full marathon. We usually start our run in front of the Abelardo Hall and do stretching at the parking space in front of Palma Hall before completing our goal for the day. JM and Josh joined us in our first round of the oval and eventually wait for JM’s classmates near the Sunken Garden. As always, it was difficult at the start before finally picking up on a rhythm for our run. Swthrt tried again using an ipod while running. She has been used to running without it for quite a long time. It seemed to work well with her as she was able to keep a consistent pace as she went along with the beat of the music.

After finishing our goal (we were able to do 5 rounds of the Academic Oval which is equal to 11K which is more than our goal), we went to JM who was already with his classmates discussing on how they would go about with their experiment.

Afterwards, we went to Kiss Restaurant at the Bahay ng Alumni building for breakfast before getting on a full day of activities.

5K easy run and speed works

For our Sunday run, October 16, 2011, we went to NAMRIA in Fort Bonifacio at 5:30 am and got caught in traffic as a race was on-going along Bayani Road and Lawton Avenue. After getting through the traffic and have brought Josh at NAMRIA compund where he would have a tennis training with his coach Swthrt and I went for a 5K run along Bayani Road. When we returned to NAMRIA compound we did speed intervals and hill repeats. One good thing about our office compound is that it has a good terrain ideal for different types of training. One loop of the compound is approximately 250m. The road from the main gate going to the back of the compound was down hill ideal for hill repeats. We also have courts for basketball, volleyball and tennis.

 

 

JRunning solo @ BHS

Last night, I had a chance to run at BHS while waiting for Swthrt to finish her work. It was not that easy especially at the start. There was a strong temptation to stay at the Customer Lounge of Honda and just  watch TV. It’s  great to sit back and relax since Josh and I just have a hearty meal at Market Market where I also bought myself a guitar tuner. Josh was also pleading me to go with him at BHS Timezone. The only saving grace which push me to run was the constant greetings of the security guards at Honda who knew that Swthrt and I run regularly, “Good evening sir, di ka ba tatakbo?” Isn’t  that a great way to remind me that I have to run. Swthrt also knew that I was going to run, so at around 6:45 pm I got myself ready. It’s always been hard for me to start a run. I need some time for my body to warm up and adjust to the stress brought about by running. I also prefer an early morning run rather than a night run. It’s been a long time since I ran around BHS. The number of runners have increased dramatically since then. There was also a running clinic by Milo Apex being held last night and I also noticed a group of runners assembled near ROX probably getting ready for a group run. After running a couple of rounds, I was missing my running mate Swthrt who really wanted to run but was tied with work. It’s a boring run without her. We have been used to running together in races and in trainings that we enjoy every minute of it. It was a great bonding moment for us. We talk anything and everything. Anyway, we are looking forward to our long run this Saturday.  I finished my run after 5 rounds at the BHS and returned back to Honda.

How about you? What do you prefer, an early morning or a night run? Do you like to run alone or with a partner or group?

Keep on running runners!

Have a great run or race this weekend!

Southern Ridges, Singapore - JRunning adventure

Our run and trail walk started at Alexandra Bridge and ended at the Harbour Front in front of Vivo City

End of the trail at Harbour Front

Birthday Run for Bro J @ Bukit Panjang, Singapore

Running around the block for my birthday run

Birthday gift from Swthrt

Birthday Cake from Den and Joy

at fitness corner near our place


Birthday Celebration!